HISTORY

It all started with four gentlemen, an intriguing new sport and a sheep pasture. John and his brother Edwin Hall along with brothers Nicholas and Jansen Noyes were the pioneers that brought golf to Dansville over 110 years ago playing on land that was, at that time, home to Tracy Scovill’s sheep. The course was originally laid out with 6 holes and just a few years later expanded to 9 holes. Being named after the game’s Scottish origins, “brae” in Scotland is a hillside and “burn” is a stream, which aptly describe the course’s features.

In 1901 Jackson Health Resort (Dr. James H. Jackson & Dr. J. Arthur Jackson) took over operation of the Brae Burn Links and appointed Dr. Walter Gregory as course manager. A clubhouse was built, fairways and putting surfaces were improved and a caretaker was hired to be on hand every day except Sunday. However, due to the course being a bit of a distance from the Sanatorium and medicine being their true focus, after a year of operating the course the Jacksons headed a move to form a corporation in 1902 which would take over lease of the land from Tracy Scovill. It was at this time that the course was officially incorporated and named Brae Burn Golf Club. There were several different caretakers throughout the years until Robert Ferris assumed control in 1944. In 1963, when the new syndicate was organized, the stockholders were Ferris, Leonard Fierle, Harold Shay, Robert Badger, Robert Kane and Howard Shay. Ferris became head of the new recreation center as well as the golfing enterprise while Fierle managed the bowling alley. It wasn’t until the late 1950’s or early 1960’s that Ferris bought the land, up until which time it had been rented or leased from the Scovill estate.

Today Brae Burn is privately owned and the entire property has undergone a major transformation. The old recreation building has been completely renovated and is now home to a pro shop and Scovill’s Grill with the remaining space being used for professional and medical offices. There have been significant improvements and enhancements made to the course to make the game that much more enticing. Great care has been taken to preserve the historical value of Brae Burn so as to ensure its continued presence within the Dansville Community.

According to historical information, every hole was originally named by the unidentified builder of the course. The holes were named as follows: Hole #1 – “Terrace” because of it’s hidden location behind a hill. Hole #2 – “Far-a-Wa” because of it’s yard distance – the longest distance to any hole on the course. Hole #3 – “Buena Vista” meaning beautiful view. Hole #4 – “Punch Bowl” because it is surrounded by knolls and looks like a miniature amphitheater. Hole #5 – “Crow’s Nest” which was in front of an oak tree as if picked by a crow for a homestead.Hole #6 – “Hickory Knoll” which was once surrounded by hickory nut trees.Hole #7 – “The Dune” due to a sandtrap that threatened to stump the golfer’s ball. Hole #8 – “Meadow Brook” for the creek that winds through parts of the course. And finally hole #9 – “Midget” for its short approach.

Although there have been changes made through the years, it makes the game a bit more interesting to think back to how these names once described the course’s unique characteristics.